Hi! Thank you for taking the time to read about why I’m doing St. baldricks.I started medical school one and a half years ago, and on my second day I instantly became friends with Amanda. She grew to be one of my closest friends: I was drawn to her laugher, her smile, her kindness, and her warmth. As we spent more time together, I learned how to be a better friend because of her. She’s the most supportive friend you would ever meet. I’m so lucky to have a best friend like her! 

 In March of last year, we both attended St. baldricks event. She decided the morning of that she would want to cut her hair and raise money. She did it in honor of so many of her family members who have valiantly fought breast cancer years before and she did it because if she had the chance to raise money for kids in need, she would. The picture above is a picture I took of her right when she cut her hair off. 

 Fast forward about 6 months and we’re going through our first semester of our second year of medical school. After taking our clinical exam on a Monday, she texts me saying that she has just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer at only 27 years old. 

 Amanda has taken this diagnosis and ran with it. She’s had to make decisions that were impossible within days of being diagnosed. She started chemotherapy less than a week later and is currently being our warrior and taking this on week by week. All this while feeling the isolating effects of COVID and this pandemic. And even though our weekly facetimes are very enjoyable, we haven't been able to see her since October because she's been undergoing chemotherapy. 

You wouldn’t know she’s fighting this battle; she makes it look so easy. Through the side effects, the fevers, and the chills, she’s stayed positive. I tell her everyday how proud I am of her and how she’s my warrior and role model.

 I remember when her hair first started falling out we said how it falling out was not just something that happened, but it was a reminder that cancer was taking yet another thing from her. 

 This year, I’m cutting 8 inches off my hair in honor of Amanda. Cancer takes so much from patients, I hope to alleviate some of that pain by raising money for research and donating my hair to make a wig. I’m so so proud of you, Amanda.